Ladyjacks Conclude 2018 Season in Southland Conference Championship Game on Sunday

Sunday, November 4

Beaumont, Texas

1:05 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

7-9-3

#5 Abilene Christian

15-5-1

Stephen F. Austin

Abilene Christian

Ladyjacks Conclude 2018 Season in Southland Conference Championship Game on Sunday

11/4/2018 2:53:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Three Ladyjacks named to All-Tournament Team

By: Kevin Meyer | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

BEAUMONT, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team's daunting run to the Southland Conference Tournament title game ended with a tough 3-1 loss to fifth-seed Abilene Christian on Sunday at LU Soccer Complex in Beaumont. The Ladyjacks end the season at 7-9-3 overall after advancing to a third straight title game.

"ACU is a very good team, they're a team that I thought we matched up with very well initially", said SFA head coach Wally Crittenden. "I thought there was a 25-minute period in the first half where ACU controlled the run of play with good possession, won 50/50 balls and challenged us physically, and they scored two goals during that period."

Abilene Christian would strike first in the game's 31^stminute, scoring on a short turnaround shot that curled past a diving Allyson Halliday. The goal was part of a first-half effort in which the Wildcats out-shot SFA 10-4. A second goal came in the 35^thminute, as a Wildcat player corralled a bouncing ball off her arm. She then fired off a shot from range that beat Halliday high and to her right to put Abilene Christian up 2-0.

The 'Jacks manufactured several decent scoring chances in the first half, most notably in the game's 11^thminute, as a free kick service into the box led to a scrum in front of ACU's goal. SFA notched three quick shots in the ensuing seconds, with two off the foot of Caylon McMillan being blocked by Wildcat defenders. The third shot, a volley by Breanna Moore, went high of goal to let ACU off the hook.

"In title games there is always going to be fewer moment that can tilt a game, and in the first 10-15 minutes I thought we were able to impose ourselves and create really dangerous opportunities.", Crittenden added. "We had a three-shot flurry that I hoped we would be able to convert, and if we convert that who knows what happens. Good teams do good things and will always create pressure. In big games it's important to focus on absorbing those good moments from the other team and not getting punished during those periods, and Abilene Christian certainly absorbed a lot of what we threw at them today."

ACU added a third goal in the second half, as Christina Arteaga finished off a defensive miscue in the 59^thminute of play.

SFA would pull one back in the 73^rdminute, as Katie Jennings' sliding shot snaked past ACU goalkeeper Rachel Johnson. The goal was set up by a great penetrating run by Breanna Moore, who flicked a cross into the box, which freshman Teia Haynes nudged over to a charging Jennings. The goal was the second of the season for the junior. A fervent effort by the 'Jacks in the remaining time saw them pressure the Wildcats defense repeatedly but were unable to find the goals to equalize.

"The difference today ultimately was that ACU was able to keep the ball well in possession and they did well in absorbing our pressure while we were attacking.", Crittenden explained. "I think if we did a little better job during their high-pressure moments then we would've been able to res-establish ourselves after halftime, but ultimately, we gave up a third goal and weren't able to score one of our own until late. In these types of games, the opportunities you have to score are going to be fewer, and you have to be able to convert those chances."

Sophia Fondren and Caylon McMillan both notched a pair of shots in the contest to lead the 'Jacks.

"We wish Abilene Christian good luck next Friday, we thank Lamar University for the great job they did in hosting and the Southland Conference for putting on a great tournament", Crittenden said in closing.

-SFA-